VP Joe Biden to address Democrats in York this morning.

Throngs of Obama administration supporters gathered in York early this morning for a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.

Biden was set to address supporters in the gymnasium at West York High School at 11:30 a.m.

Biden was preceded by York Mayor Kim Bracey, who told the crowd that the day's rally would offer a "more uplifting" alternative to the "angry rhetoric" of last week's Republican National Convention in Tampa. Fla.

Bracey, a Democrat, touted the administration's achievements and said "as a mayor I know we have a partner in both of our leaders." The administration would advance the cause of the middle class, she said.

Democratic state Auditor General candidate Eugene DePasquale, who represents the community in the state House, told the crowd that voters "have a critical choice to make: Do we move forward or do we go backward?" The crowd shouted back "Forward!"

Democratic 17th Congressional District candidate Matt Cartwright of Scranton kept the populist vibe going, telling the crowd that the November election was a "make or break moment for the middle class." Like Biden, Cartwright hails from Scranton.

With Democrats gathering in Charlotte for their party convention in Charlotte, Biden hit the road to rally the troops in advance of a pivotal week for the administration.

If the mood of the crowd was any indicator, Biden had some salesmanship to do.

Cheryl Reeling, 54, of York, said she has one topic on her mind this campaign season: jobs.

"I'd like some specifics on what [they're] going to do to improve the economy," Reeling, a social worker who voted for President Obama in 2008, said.

Stephen Lambert, 59, a factory worker at Harley-Davidson, said much the same.